Day of the Child honored at Oak Manor Elementary

Ukiah Unified School District has a long-standing tradition where each school hosts an Open House in the spring. Another spring tradition in many countries is a celebration for the Day of the Child. This year, Oak Manor Elementary School combined these two traditions and honored all the children at Oak Manor.

Students and their families were provided a free dinner of tostadas, tamales, fruit, chips, salsa and dessert. There were games and activities for the children including a bounce house, loteria (a form of bingo), face painting, and traditional pi?atas. All of this was combined with families visiting the classrooms and celebrating the academic and artistic success of Oak Manor students.

Oak Manor staff, parents, and most importantly students, were buzzing about the success of the event. In fact, the only complaint was that the event was too successful and the lines for food were long. Several veteran Oak Manor teachers noted that the Day of the Child event was the best-attended and most successful event in the history of Oak Manor Elementary School.

According to Oak Manor Principal Chris Miller, "The success of this event was astounding. We will definitely continue this in years to come and will make this our newest Oak Manor tradition."

The event was coordinated by attendance secretary Gloria Betancourt and supported by the Oak Manor PTO. Oak Manor also received donations from local businesses including Chavez Market, Taqueria Michoacan, Contreras Market, Taco Loco, Video Tepa, and Planet Smoothie.

Parents jumped at the opportunity to volunteer their time to help with this event. Many parents expressed how the event brought back fond memories of Day of the Child celebrations in Mexico and were impressed by one of the most powerful parts of the tradition in which teachers and staff members serve the students and their families. Children and their families are to be honored at the event and despite multiple students volunteering to help they were rebuffed with the phrase, "Thanks for offering, but this is your day, enjoy it."

Throughout the school year, Oak Manor has sponsored many community events and will continue to do so in the upcoming school term. Oak Manor was proud to have the opportunity to honor its most important treasure, the children.